Key Points
- Peranya Visitchantaragoon’s musical journey bridges traditional Thai music with modern global media.
- Her work on The White Lotus infuses the series with distinctly authentic Thai sounds.
- Despite an anticipated economic boom from tourism, concerns persist over its impact on local livelihoods, the environment, and escalating prices.
Peranya Visitchantaragoon, a Brisbane-based Thai traditional musician, composer, and cultural advisor, has gained recognition for her contributions to the latest season of acclaimed TV series The White Lotus.
Born into a multi-generational family of musicians, Peranya said she became immersed in traditional Thai music from a young age. Her grandfather was a traditional Thai instrument-maker, and her father a musician, she added.
At eight, she said she picked up her first instrument — the saw duang, a Thai spike fiddle known for its cylindrical shape reminiscent of a lizard trap from northern Thailand.
What began as 30 minutes of daily practice evolved into hours of dedicated training, and, by 17, her talent had earned her national recognition.
“When I was in year 11, my school band won a national competition, and we received an award from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn,” she said.
“That experience opened doors for me, and I was selected to represent Thailand in a cultural exchange program in Japan.”
Peranya Visitchantaragoon performed at the International Music Competition Vienna in 2022. Credit: Supplied/Peranya Visitchantaragoon
Her growing skills secured a royal scholarship to study at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand’s most prestigious institution, and her career as a Thai traditional musician blossomed with performances both at home and abroad.
In 2018, Peranya moved to Australia on a work-and-holiday visa and later earned a scholarship to study early childhood education at Griffith University.
While balancing her role as a preschool educator for three- to four-year-olds with her passion for music, the 34-year-old continued to perform, earning recognition such as the International Music Competition Vienna Grand Prize Virtuoso in 2022.
She also featured in Jetstar’s advertising campaign promoting a new Thailand-Brisbane route in 2024.
Bringing traditional Thai sounds to the small screen
Beyond live performances, Peranya said she had broadened her creative repertoire to include scoring for advertisements and films, contributing to Australian projects such as The Bureau of Magical Things (season 2) and Spacetime.
This journey paved the way for her latest achievement: integrating traditional Thai music into the much-anticipated season 3 of The White Lotus.
Collaborating with renowned Canadian composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer, Peranya said she infused the series with a distinctly Thai sound, blending cultural tradition with cinematic storytelling.
Peranya Visitchantaragoon and Jordan Bain recorded the film scores in the studio, collaborating online with The White Lotus’s composer, Cristobal Tapia de Veer. Credit: Peranya Visitchantaragoon
“This was an incredible opportunity — not only to work on a globally acclaimed project — but to introduce Thai traditional music to a broader audience,” she said.
“Thai traditional music has a unique structure that conveys deep emotions. Right now, the international music industry is seeking fresh, distinct sounds, and Thai music stands out because of its intricate tonalities and storytelling potential.”
The ‘White Lotus Effect’ on Thai tourism
The premiere of season 3 of the series, set against the backdrop of Thailand’s stunning landscapes — including Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok — has raised expectations among Thai audiences and tourism stakeholders, according to a tourism expert.
Actors attend the Los Angeles premiere of season 3 of HBO’s The White Lotus at Paramount Theatre on 10 February, 2025. Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Pichaya Saisangchan, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Sydney, acknowledges the significant role cinema has played in shaping tourism trends.
He noted that films had dramatically influenced Thailand’s appeal over the past five decades.
“The impact of films on tourism has been evident for decades. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) turned Khao Ta Pu into ‘James Bond Island’, while The Beach (2000) made Maya Bay a global travel icon. Even the rise of rooftop bars in Bangkok can be traced back to the influence of The Hangover 2. The White Lotus could have a similar effect,” he said.
Saisangchan told SBS Thai that the series could inject up to $40 million into the tourism industry and estimated that the production had already created 2,000 jobs in Thailand, benefiting the local economy beyond tourism.
However, while The White Lotus is poised to deliver economic benefits, some question the long-term impact of a tourism boom.
Pattaraporn Clancy, a Melbourne-based former resident of Koh Samui. Credit: Supplied/Pattaraporn Clancy
Pattaraporn Clancy, a Melbourne-based former resident of Koh Samui, has witnessed the island’s transformation over the past two decades.
“Koh Samui has changed drastically. There are far more buildings and businesses now, many owned by foreigners. What once were quiet, green spaces are now crowded with hotels, resorts, and cars,” Pattaraporn said.
She also noted that a significant drawback of tourism is its soaring costs — airfares, accommodations, and other expenses have become incredibly expensive. Consequently, many locals were finding it difficult to enjoy their own natural assets.
“Thais find it (especially) challenging to afford such prices without careful budgeting,” she said.
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